Omo Valley Tours, World Famous Tribes of Southern Ethiopia

Visit the first tribe on our cultural tour of Southern Ethiopian tribes. Drive to Chencha for the Dorze Village tour. The Dorze people are known for their weaving skills and architecture of their houses. Their vocal music features a sophisticated use of “hocket”, a rhythmic linear technique. Following lunch, drive to Konso. Konso is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site for its traditional landscape with terraces, its uniquely structured villages and huts, and for their famous wooden statues. Night in Konso. On clear dark nights, Konso is known for its amazing star gazing visibility.

Tribes of Konso Tour. The people are grouped into nine clans. The nine exogamous clans named Kertita, Pasanta, Eshalayta, Sawdata, Tikisayta, Alayta, Tokmaleta, Arkamayta and Mahaleta live in 49 kebeles. We will visit two of the nine clans on the Konso village tour. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of coffee plantations and green landscapes. Drive to Turmi following lunch. Night in Turmi. Groups larger than four people will require double occupancy rooms due to accommodation space limitations.

Experience a unique tribe, the Dassanech Tribe “People of the Delta,” which is only reached by crossing the Omo river. You will have the option to ride on a traditional boat without a motor which is carved from a large tree trunk. The Dassanech are known for their colorful beaded neckless and their pearly white teeth. After lunch on the river we will next visit the Hamar Tribe. The Hamar people are renowned for their unusually unique hairstyles. The rites of passage to adulthood of the Hamar Tribe Rituals include cattle leaping. With good timing and some luck we may witness a rites of passage ceremony. Night in Turmi. Groups larger than four people will require double occupancy rooms due to accommodation space limitations.

Begin the morning with breakfast. Next we will visit one of the famous markets of the Omo Valley. You will enjoy viewing the handmade cultural items from all of Southern Ethiopia. Witness the ancient practice of bargaining for the best price as you tour the market for shopping. A high five signifies that a deal has been reached. After lunch, begin the picturesque drive to Jinka.

Drive to the Mago National Park where you will be able to visit the famous Mursi tribe. They are known for the large clay plates that the women wear in their lower lips and ears which are made from locally dug clay. The men adorn themselves with clay and headdress of ivory horns. Eat lunch prior to visiting the Ari (Aari) People of Mago National Park. They are known for their artwork and agriculture. Ari women can be found in traditional skirts made from koisha leaves, with large colorful beads and bracelets. Following the Ari Tribe tour, take a guided tour of the South Omo Research Center Museum (Jinka Museum). The museum provides a great overview of the many tribes of the Omo Valley. Night in Jinka

Eat breakfast prior to departing for the late morning flight to Addis Ababa. Lunch will be provided at one of our favorite restaurants, our recommendation is the fish goulash. Time for shopping will be allocated to secure any last minute souvenirs. Beers and shisha (hookah) will also be an option during this timeframe. Depart from Bole International Airport Addis Ababa.